Cargo traffic in Batangas port, about 110 kilometers south of the Philippine capital Manila, will improve if the trucking business is opened up to players other than those based in Batangas.
Only hauler members of the Batangas trucking association can handle cargoes to and from Batangas, according to an official of Magsaysay-owned cargo carrier NMC Container Lines who did not want to be named.
Cargo owners and shipping lines, he said, are forced to enter into an agreement with the trucking group, a situation that has jacked up costs.
He said opening up the field could result in increased volume and ultimately better business for everyone, including truckers.
There have been attempts to talk to Batangas authorities about the issue but so far no action has been taken, the source said.
Despite this, NMC remains optimistic about its prospects for Batangas Port, two years after launching a dedicated service.
NMC maintains a weekly service to and from Batangas connected to Cebu and Cagayan de Oro using a 250 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) vessel. Volume is around 100-150 TEUs on that vessel. Most of the shipment is care of Nestle.
“Right now, volume is not that appealing as (our vessel is) still half full,” the NMC official said.
Other operators calling at the port are MCC Transport and Asian Marine Transport Corp. Each maintains a weekly service.
The Batangas port also handles imported completely built-up car units and project cargoes for power projects.
Double Trailer Truck by Naypong
Free image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
